Dispersed metal nanoparticles in polymer films

Abstract

A method of forming a thin film of metal nanoparticles useful in optics and electronics includes producing a mono-layer of dispersed metal nanoparticles substantially free of stabilizing ligands. Mixing a polymer solution with a metal salt to create a metal precursor solution. Forming the metal precursor solution into a film by removal of solvent, and heating the film to reduce the metal salt and form metal nanoparticles. Further heating the film to remove the polymer solution and form a monolayer of dispersed metal nanoparticles.

1 . A method of producing a monolayer of dispersed metal nanoparticles substantially free of stabilizing ligands, comprising the steps of:
 mixing a polymer solution with a metal salt to create a metal precursor solution;   forming the metal precursor solution into a film by removal of solvent;   heating the film to reduce the metal salt and form metal nanoparticles; and   further heating the film to remove the polymer solution and form a monolayer of dispersed metal nanoparticles.   
   
   
       2 . The method of producing a monolayer of dispersed metal nanoparticles of  claim 1  wherein said forming the metal precursor solution into a film comprises spin casting the metal precursor solution. 
   
   
       3 . The method of producing a monolayer of dispersed metal nanoparticles of  claim 1  wherein the metal salt comprises a metal from the group of gold, silver, copper, and platinum. 
   
   
       4 . The method of producing a monolayer of dispersed metal nanoparticles of  claim 3  wherein the metal salt comprises gold (III) chloride trihydrate. 
   
   
       5 . The method of producing a monolayer of dispersed metal nanoparticles of  claim 1  wherein the polymer solution is selected from the group of water soluble polymers of polyvinyl alcohol, polymethylvinyl ether, polyarrylates, polyacrylamides, polysaccarides, gelatins, polylactic acid, and polyglycolic acid. 
   
   
       6 . The method of producing a monolayer of dispersed metal nanoparticles of  claim 5  wherein the polymer solution is aqueous polymethylvinyl ether. 
   
   
       7 . The method of producing a monolayer of dispersed metal nanoparticles of  claim 1  wherein the dispersed metal nanoparticles in the monolayer are between about 2 nm and about 100 nm. 
   
   
       8 . A film of dispersed metal nanoparticles comprising:
 a polymer matrix substantially free of stabilizing ligands; and   metal nanoparticles dispersed in said polymer matrix, wherein said nanoparticles are between 2 nm and 100 nm.   
   
   
       9 . The film of dispersed metal nanoparticles of  claim 8  wherein said metal nanoparticles comprise a metal from the group of gold, silver, copper, and platinum. 
   
   
       10 . The film of dispersed metal nanoparticles of  claim 9  wherein said metal nanoparticles comprise gold (III) chloride trihydrate reduced to gold nanoparticles. 
   
   
       11 . The film of dispersed metal nanoparticles of  claim 8  wherein said polymer matrix is selected from a group of water soluble polymers of polyvinyl alcohol, polymethylvinyl ether, polyarrylates, polyacrylamides, polysaccarides, gelatins, polylactic acid, and polyglycolic acid. 
   
   
       12 . The film of dispersed metal nanoparticles of  claim 11  wherein said polymer matrix is aqueous polymethylvinyl ether. 
   
   
       13 . A film of dispersed metal nanoparticles substantially free of stabilizing ligands made from the method comprising the steps of:
 mixing a polymer solution with a metal salt to create a metal precursor solution;   forming the metal precursor solution into a film by removal of solvent;   heating the film to reduce the metal salt and form metal nanoparticles; and   further heating the film to remove the polymer solution and form a film of dispersed metal nanoparticles.